Effexor Lawsuit
Effexor Lawsuit for Birth Defects
Several recent studies have linked the popular antidepressant medication Effexor to a wide range of alarming birth defects when taken during pregnancy. In response to these findings, many families have responded by pursuing a Effexor Lawsuit and claims against the makers of Effexor, Wyeth Laboratories. These Effexor lawsuits are based on the grounds that many patients were not adequately advised before they took Effexor during the course of their pregnancies. An Effexor lawsuit is one avenue for potentially getting reparations for the numerous challenges associated with these various birth defects and their corresponding treatment. Many Effexor birth defects result in a lifetime of difficulty, and if you are eligible for an Effexor lawsuit, it could significantly help with these expenses.
What is Effexor?
Effexor, or Venlafaxine, is a type of SNRI (selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) medication that is currently available for the treatment of a variety of depressive and anxiety disorders. SNRIs work by augmenting the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which are believed to help maintain mental/emotional balance. Although Effexor was introduced in 1994, information is fairly limited regarding its safety during pregnancy. However, the FDA currently has Effexor classified as “Pregnancy Class C,” meaning that it has shown adverse effects in animal testing, and that more research is necessary. Other popular antidepressants that have been linked to increased birth defect risks include: Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro, and Prozac.
Effexor Birth Defect Studies
In August of 2011, the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) claimed that their data demonstrated associations between the Effexor (Venlafaxine) use during pregnancy and birth defects. Because this study was conducted using a large sample and studied Effexor separately from other antidepressants, its findings are especially credible. In addition to birth defects, a February 2010 study published by Pediatrics Journal also suggests that Effexor and other antidepressants taken during pregnancy delay the occurrence of significant developmental milestones, including the ability to sit without support and walk.
Effexor Birth Defects
Effexor taken during pregnancy has been linked to some of the following birth defects:
- Ventricular Septal Defects (VSD)
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)
- Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA)
- Transposition of Great Arteries (TGA)
- Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
- Pulmonary Stenosis
- Pulmonary Atresia
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
- Club Foot or Bilateral Club Feet
- Arm and Leg Limb Reductions
- Omphalocele/Abdominal Stomach Wall Defects
- Craniosynotosis/Cranial Skull Defects
- Ebstein’s Anomaly
- Neural Tube Defects (Spina Bifida)
- Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension
- Valve Defects
Effexor Lawsuit – Talk to an Effexor Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one took Effexor, or other antidepressant medication, at any time during the course of a pregnancy and had a child born with any of the aforementioned birth defects, you may have a legal right to monetary compensation. Call the Willis Law Firm today to have your potential Effexor Lawsuit claim evaluated confidentially and free of charge. We are currently accepting Effexor Lawsuits nationwide, and on a contingency fee basis. This means that no attorney or legal fees will be billed to you unless a recovery is made for you and your child. The mothers and children who fall victim to Effexor and other SSRI medications may have a legal right to financial reimbursement for related medical bills, injuries and other losses. Call the Willis Law Firm today in order to have your potential Effexor Lawsuit evaluated by our talented product liability team. All Effexor birth defect lawsuits are taken on a contingency fee basis and the client is never charged an attorney fee or any legal case expenses unless a recovery is obtained.
Talk to a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer licensed in Texas and in New York with a National Presence with the Highest Peer Review Rating.
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